Highlights of the October 17, 2006 Tompkins County Legislature Meeting

The Legislature, by a vote of 10 to 5, adopted amendments to County Administrator Stephen Whicher’s tentative 2007 county budget, as recommended by the Legislature’s Expanded Budget Committee. The “Legislative Tentative Budget”, which now becomes the basis of budget deliberations, would increase the total tax levy by just over 5 percent. Because of a change in property values in an updated assessment roll, it is now projected that a tax rate increase of 2.6 percent, instead of the 2.4 percent projected earlier, would be needed to produce the required change in the tax levy. Under the proposal the tax rate would increase in 2007 by .17, to $6.76 per $1,000 assessed valuation.

Legislator Dick Booth was one who criticized his colleagues for not coming up with the best possible package. He characterized the tax rate increase as too high, and said the legislature has proved it cannot reduce existing spending and is not willing to look at its ongoing long- term costs. Others, while admitting the process wasn’t perfect, noted that legislators have wrestled difficult choices, including the tension between taxes and services, have listened to the public and balanced a number of different needs.

The full Legislature can still amend the tentative budget, and some legislators indicated they may be weighing possible changes before the final adoption vote takes place November 21. The public will have an opportunity to comment on the budget at a public hearing scheduled for November 14, beginning at 7:00 p.m., at Legislative Chambers, 320 North Tioga Street in Ithaca.

After more than a half-hour of discussion, the Legislature, by a vote of 9 to 6 “urged the federal government to commence a humane, orderly and comprehensive withdrawal of United States military personnel and bases from Iraq.” The resolution, sponsored by Legislator Dooley Kiefer, had first been presented by Donald and Peter Quinn-Jacobs, recipients of the Legislature’s August Distinguished Youth Award.

Much of the debate centered on whether it was appropriate for the Legislature to take a stand on the issue. Kiefer and others maintained there is a clear local impact, that federal funds spent in Iraq mean fewer dollars available to support domestic spending, which can lead to less federal support for local programs. Martha Robertson maintained the perceived boundary between local government and the federal government is artificial and that local government should have a responsible and intelligent discussion about a war that she called “a disaster”. Several legislators countered that taking a stand would have no effect and characterized the action as inappropriate. Legislator Dick Booth stated that his constituents didn’t elect him to make votes about U.S. foreign policy; Mike Sigler disputed a clear and immediate financial link; and Greg Stevenson voiced frustration, especially in view of the budget process. While the legislature tried, but failed, to produce a budget with a zero percent tax increase, Stevenson said that it is spending time debating issues that many believe that it should not debate.

Copies of the opposition resolution will be sent to President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton, and Congressmen Maurice Hinchey and Sherwood Boehlert.

Contacts: Legislator Dooley Kiefer, 257-7453; Legislator Martha Robertson 272-0584; Legislator Dick Booth, 272-6573; Legislator Michael Sigler, 339-7978; Legislator Greg Stevenson, 273-2439

By a vote of 10 to 5, the Legislature transferred $10,000 from the contingency fund to increase the bail fund for Offender Aid and Restoration. Public Safety chair Leslyn McBean-Clairborne indicated the increase will allow the agency to support additional bail-outs, which could help to ease jail overcrowding and board-out expense, while amounting to a good investment since very few bails are forfeited. Legislator Mike Hattery maintained that the fund was initiated through community support and that community, and not public money, should be used for this purpose.

Contact: Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, Chair, Public Safety Committee, 277-5104; Legislator Michael Hattery, 844-4361.

Twelve-year-old Daniel Swann is the October recipient of the County Legislature’s Distinguished Youth Award, honored for his volunteer service to the residents of “The Old Hundred” assisted living facility in the Town of Ithaca. During the summer, Daniel has spent an hour each Sunday, reading to and spending time with six elderly residents. Chair Tim Joseph praised Daniel’s commitment, dedication and desire to serve others. The Distinguished Youth Award is cosponsored by A & B Awards, Bangs Ambulance Service, Purity Ice Cream and Cayuga Radio Group.